“We want gov't, host and down stream communities, farmers, irrigators, the Church to listen to one another and examine facts together”: Atty. Dickpus brings stakeholders into Kalinga Forum

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Seeking to widen public participation in discussions surrounding a proposed large-scale mining project in Balatoc, Pasil, Atty. Ann Ann Dickpus is bringing more government agencies, community sectors and affected stakeholders into a second public forum set for September 2, 2026.

The initiative builds on the first public symposium which Save Kalinga group held, where representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) and members of the Balatoc host community shared perspectives on the proposed project.

Dickpus and members of SAVE Kalinga visited and conducted consultations on Friday, August 28, 2026, as part of efforts to broaden participation ahead of the second symposium.

For the September 2 forum, Dickpus has invited representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-Kalinga Provincial Office, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), City Government of Tabuk and KARSA, as well as farmers, irrigators, irrigators’ associations and religious leaders.

Farmers are being reached through the City Government of Tabuk, while irrigators and irrigators’ associations are being invited through NIA.

Beyond the mining site

The second forum will place particular attention on communities downstream of the proposed mining area, broadening the discussion beyond the immediate host community.

Among the topics expected to be discussed are possible implications for water resources, irrigation, agriculture, livelihoods, ancestral domains, cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.

Dickpus said the expanded participation is intended to provide a more comprehensive picture of the potential effects of the proposed project and allow different sectors to raise concerns, share information and hear perspectives from others.

The lawyer stressed that the dialogue should not be viewed simply as a debate between those supporting and opposing development.

“Our role is to bring people to the table—not to close the door on development. We want government, host and downstream communities, farmers, irrigators, the Church and other stakeholders to listen to one another and examine the facts together.”

Getting all sides to the table

The first symposium provided an opportunity for the host community in Balatoc and government regulators to present their perspectives.

The second forum seeks to expand that conversation by including sectors that could potentially be affected downstream, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on water, agriculture and irrigation.

According to Dickpus, SAVE Kalinga believes bringing these groups together is important because the possible effects of a large-scale development project may extend beyond the location where the project is physically situated.

The organization hopes the continuing dialogue will help communities and institutions develop a more informed and balanced understanding of the proposed mining project and its potential implications.

The September 2 symposium is also expected to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to ask questions, clarify information and discuss concerns directly with relevant institutions and sectors.

For Dickpus and SAVE Kalinga, the objective is not to stop development but to ensure that development discussions include the people who may be affected and that decisions are informed by facts and broad public participation.

“Development should not divide Kalinga, the group emphasized. Instead, dialogue should bring communities together as they consider an issue that could affect the province’s environment, livelihoods and future,” reminded Atty. Dickpus.